Alton broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of runs in the fifth inning and went on to down Calhoun 4-1 Monday in a prep softball showdown.
The Redbirds outhit the Warriors 6-1. Ashlyn Betz, Tomi Dublo, Savannah Fisher, Rachel McCoy, Abby Scyoc and Tami Wong each had a hit for Alton and Dublo and Wong added RBIs. Scyoc pitched all seven innings for Alton, allowing one hit, striking out three and walking one.
Freshman pitcher Sydney Baalman went the distance for the Warriors, filling in for Grace Baalman, who missed the game to attend an All-State Academic Banquet in Bloomington.
Sydney Baalman scattered six hits, struck out 14 and walked only one Alton batter. Emily Baalman had both hits for the Warriors. Alton ran its record to 12-5, while Calhoun dropped to 16-5.